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Dolphin leaps and hummingbird sightings.

by Scarlet Colley - November, 1999

October has been the most incredible month for us in five years on the Laguna Madre bay. The Laguna Skimmer has been recognized as family for the bottle-nose dolphins. The encounters day after day have been more than anyone could ever hope to experience with these magnificent creatures. Their rolling and sticking their heads straight up out of the water have thrilled all who have a chance to see this in the wild. It seems to be mainly Can-Opener's family and Jasmine's that take time to play. Cookie never allows her family group to play too much. She did seem excited when she saw us at Port Mansfield this summer. It was the most I have seen her do with her group as they played around us near the pass. Since she has extreme dorsal fin damage and missing half of her tail fluke, I am not surprised that she is less playful and more wary of boats.

So its Can-Opener and Jasmine that are the entertaining matriarchs, encouraging their families to do all the incredible things that dolphins do when they play. They seem to thrive on the response they get as well. For four years now Colley and I have been hoping for a leap into the sunset. On a beautiful calm evening about the middle of the month we encountered Can-Opener near Dolphin Point. She had the Mothers day out group with her, all young dolphins that had been feeding at the point. The mothers had not returned from offshore and Can-Opener gave the a.o.k to play. There were tails rolling, heads bobbing, and pink tummies showing as they rolled over and over each other. This was my chance, video camera ready, there just had to be one leap into the sunset as we faced west. I was begging Can-Opener in my usual dolphin voice , as Colley calls it, to please give me the long awaited photo. Video turned on, (oops, no film in the camera) I aimed at the red sunset reflecting on the water, one of can-openers group did a leap out of the water across the sunset. Now this is more than we could have ever hoped for other than a maybe little bit higher sea world type of leap, but non the less we were estatic. He did two more toward the boat and then Can-Opener called her group together and headed off for Colley cove (which is what some of the locals refer to it as instead of Barracuda cove in honor of George's dad who had the ferry here for years before the causeways were built. His ashes were spread in the cove on the waters of the Laguna. His wish was to come back as a dolphin.) As we left to head back for the marina the feeling of anticipation of our next encounter with these incredible creatures was exciting. Here are our wild dolphins interacting with us in their special ways. We have won their trust and faith by letting them be wild and free and make their own choices in their very own social way and all those who encounter our dolphins will go home being touched by them in a very special place, their Hearts and memories.

A note on another subject very important to us, Birding. A very special lady on the island who has a home and yard set up for our birds that visit the island in the fall on the migration south. She had a very rare and special bird stay at her feeders for more than two weeks. That bird was the green-violet eared hummingbird. Birders from all over the country came to see this rare spectacle. Barbara Kennett was the perfect hostess, and not only was one able to see this incredible hummer but her yard and water gardens was full on warblers, orioles, and so many more of the fall migratories, not to mention a family of grooved bill anis. If any of you would like to attract these beauties to your place, taking a look at Barbara's yard is a must. Call us at 739-BIRD for any birding info.

Photo taken by Scarlet Colley at Barbara Kennett's.

George and Scarlet Colley operate Fins to Feathers photo safaris at Sea ranch Marina. The Laguna Skimmer takes six passengers or lass to encounter and document dolphin activity. For an appointment call 739-BIRD or email us at skimmer@fin2feather.com. Our mailing address is PO Box 5515 Port Isabel, TX 78578